New Master's Degree Prepares Leaders for Arkansas' Growing Outdoor Recreation and Sport Tourism Field

The U of A's new master's degree program in Outdoor Recreation and Sport Tourism will help meet demand for the growing outdoor recreation field, offering hands-on learning, industry partnerships and real-world experiences that connect directly to careers in Arkansas' outdoor recreation and tourism economy.

"With its fully online delivery, the Outdoor Recreation and Sport Tourism program is well-suited for established professionals or recent graduates working in the field who are looking to advance their careers, make a pivot into the outdoor recreation and tourism space or further develop leadership skills that align with opportunities emerging across Arkansas and nationally," said Jamie Cathey, coordinator of the new program in the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation of the College of Education and Health Professions.

The master's program, launching in fall 2026, offers an efficient, focused path to graduation. While coursework will be offered 100% online, offering students flexibility, there will also be a strong emphasis on experiential learning. Students will have opportunities to apply their knowledge through practicum and capstone experiences.

Cathey said whether students are interested in event management, destination marketing, professional and collegiate sports tourism, or outdoor adventure tourism, the program is designed to help them better understand the intersection of outdoor recreation, tourism and community development.

She noted that a recent ArkansasOutside.com article highlighted the strength of Arkansas' outdoor recreation economy, which supported more than 40,000 jobs and added $5 billion in value in 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. When tourism spending is included, the impact on local communities grows even stronger, with over $10 million in direct spending and $17 million in total economic impact driven by the 52 million visitors welcomed to the state.

"We are outpacing the national average with 33% growth in the industry since 2019, and with continued investment by the state and the vision of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' Natural State Initiative, that growth will continue, and with it, even more job opportunities," Cathey said.

The program's required field work and capstone projects are designed to provide meaningful, hands-on experience working alongside industry professionals. The capstone project specifically challenges students with real-world issues currently facing the industry, requiring them to analyze problems, think critically through possible solutions, and present actionable solutions back to the professionals.

"While issues we face in Arkansas might be slightly nuanced to our area, students from any state will easily identify shared trends and be able to apply their insights locally," Cathey said.

She believes the program is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in outdoor recreation and sport tourism.

"We live, learn, work and play in the learning lab that is the Natural State, and that creates unmatched opportunities for students to engage directly with local communities and experience real-time industry growth, and those experiences will ultimately translate into impactful careers," Cathey said.

Those interested in pursuing this degree can visit the Outdoor Recreation and Sport Tourism website to learn more or apply, or they're invited to contact Cathey at jcathey@uark.edu with questions.